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Currants are a healthy and tasty fruit and berry crop that can be consumed fresh only during the 2 summer months. But in order to preserve the harvest and receive vitamins throughout the winter, it is necessary to make preparations. The beneficial properties of frozen blackcurrant last for 3 years, so on cold days you can prepare a variety of dishes from it that will not only boost your immunity, but also enrich the body with essential vitamins.
Are frozen currants healthy?
Frozen blackcurrant is a healthy, low-calorie crop. It consists of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Due to their low calorie content, berry dishes are recommended for those who adhere to a proper diet.
In terms of benefits and chemical properties, frozen black currants are not inferior to fresh ones. After defrosting, the fruits retain all the substances, so they are just as healthy as freshly picked ones.
What are the benefits of frozen currants?
Frozen currants have beneficial properties. The product contains:
- vitamin C;
- antioxidants that are necessary for rejuvenating the body;
- potassium – normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle, restores water-alkaline balance;
- B vitamins – calm the nervous system, remove toxins;
- vitamin PP – gets rid of toxins and bad cholesterol;
- vitamin H – lowers blood sugar, so the berry is necessary for people who suffer from diabetes;
- manganese – strengthens the immune system.
What are the benefits of frozen black currants?
Fresh and frozen products are often used in alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
Doctors recommend adding frozen black fruits to your diet in the following cases:
- for the prevention and treatment of the gastrointestinal tract;
- for colds;
- to improve immunity;
- in the postoperative period for rapid recovery of the body;
- for cardiovascular diseases, to lower blood pressure;
- Black currant is recommended to be consumed to improve vision, it helps with kidney and liver diseases;
- Dishes prepared from frozen blackcurrants restore brain function and improve mood.
The benefits and harms of frozen black currants are manifested not only in the fruits, but also in the leaves. They are brewed to produce a fortified and toned drink that relieves thirst on hot summer days.
The benefits of frozen red currants
Frozen red currants also have beneficial properties, as they contain vitamins, microelements and a rare substance - coumarin. It reduces blood clotting, prevents the formation of blood clots, and stops the growth of cancer cells.
Vitamins C, A and P can strengthen blood vessels, immunity, and have a positive effect on the condition of skin, hair and nails.
Since the pulp is enriched with iodine, it helps with thyroid diseases. Benefits of red currant:
- The pulp contains a low glycemic index - the feeling of hunger is dulled, sugar is slowly absorbed into the blood, due to which insulin is released gradually.
- Helps get rid of colds. Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that fights inflammation and infections.
- Improves mood and relieves depression.
- Restores red blood cells. Copper, calcium and iron will help cope with anemia and strengthen bone and muscle tissue.
- Normalizes heart function. Thanks to the high content of microelements, arrhythmia is stopped, the heart muscle is strengthened, moisture is quickly removed from the body, thereby eliminating edema and lowering blood pressure.
- Improves the functioning of the digestive system. The berries contain pectin, which removes waste and toxins, normalizes intestinal microflora, and improves digestion.
Harm from frozen currants
Despite the large amount of useful substances, black and red currants should not be overused, since the berries can bring not only benefits to the body, but also harm. Before use, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications and side effects:
- the berry is not recommended for children in large quantities, as it can cause an allergic reaction;
- excessive consumption aggravates gastrointestinal diseases;
- frozen product is prohibited in pre-heart attack and pre-stroke conditions;
- not for hepatitis;
- it is necessary to limit consumption during pregnancy and lactation;
- Use with caution for thrombophlebitis and varicose veins.
When consuming frozen black and red currants, you must remember that a large amount of berries can lead to an allergic reaction, causing bloating, diarrhea and dehydration.
How to freeze currants for the winter
In order for the crop to retain its vitamins, it is necessary to follow the rules of collection and preparation.
The berries are removed from the bush in dry, warm weather. Next, it is sorted, removing the stalks, small, dry and damaged fruits. For freezing, use whole, ripe fruits with a dense, dry surface; overripe specimens with damaged skins are not suitable, as such fruits will quickly begin to sour and rot.
Blackcurrant is a healthy, tasty crop that can be consumed fresh for several months. Therefore, in order to enrich the body with vitamins in winter, it is necessary to freeze the harvested crop. To do this, you can use one of the following methods:
- freezing without sugar;
- grated black and red currants;
- whole berry with sugar.
All methods are good and easy to prepare:
- Whole berries with no added sugar. Whole berries make an excellent decoration for desserts, ice cream or cakes. To freeze berries, scatter them in one layer on a tray or flat dish and put them in the freezer.When the currants freeze, they are portioned into bags or plastic containers and put back in the freezer.
- Currants with sugar. The berries are placed in a container, sprinkling each layer with a small amount of sugar. After finishing, close the container with an airtight lid and put it in the freezer.
- Currants in the form of puree. The berries are sorted and crushed to a puree. Add sugar to taste and mix thoroughly. Next, put them in containers and put them in the freezer. The prepared puree cannot be frozen a second time, so the prepared dish is frozen in small portions.
Before freezing, you need to listen to these useful tips:
- Blackcurrants can be frozen whole, chopped or pureed.
- Frozen crops retain their beneficial properties, but after defrosting they may become watery and lose their original appearance.
- Frozen berries cannot be used to make jelly, as the moisture released will interfere with hardening. Frozen currants make delicious cocktails, sauces, compotes and berry salads.
Rules for defrosting berries
In order for the frozen harvest to retain its beneficial properties and decent appearance, you need to know how to properly defrost the berries. Currants can be defrosted in several ways:
- If the crop was frozen in a container, then to defrost the container is placed in cold water for 10 minutes.
- The frozen harvest is scattered in 1 layer on a tray and left to completely defrost at room temperature. This method is lengthy, to reduce time, it is better to lay the berries on a paper towel so that it absorbs moisture and the resulting juice.
- Blackcurrants can be thawed in the microwave.To do this, set the timer to the “Quick defrost” mode. Every minute you need to make sure that the berry does not start to heat up and release juice.
- You can quickly defrost blackcurrants under running cold water. To do this, place the sealed bag under water for 10-15 minutes. If the bag has mechanical damage, the fruits will be able to quickly take on water.
- Frozen fruits are placed in the refrigerator until completely defrosted. This process is long but effective. Black berries retain their color and appearance and rarely become soggy. A kilogram defrosts in 6 hours.
- If the harvest is used as a filling for pies or muffins, then frozen currants can be placed in the dough. It will melt during cooking and release healthy juice into the confectionery product. It can also be used without defrosting to prepare jelly, compotes, and fruit drinks.
Application of frozen currants
Frozen harvest can be used to prepare compotes, jelly and fruit drinks. It is ideal as a filling for open pies and pies.
Options for frozen blackcurrant dishes:
- Refreshing and toning fresh. To prepare, you will need 250 g of cherries, black currants and watermelon pulp. All ingredients are mixed in a blender, poured into glasses, an ice cube and a mint leaf are added.
- Curd and currant cookies. This dish is very useful for pregnant women, as it contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements. Fat cottage cheese is mixed with berries, sugar, egg and flour. The prepared mass should have the consistency of cheesecakes. Spoon the dough onto a baking sheet or into shaped molds and bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.
- A medicine that lowers blood pressure.2 tbsp. crushed fruits are mixed with 5 tbsp. l. honey To obtain a liquid consistency, the berry mass is diluted with mineral water. Consume in small portions several times a day.
Terms and conditions of storage
To preserve vitamins in frozen blackcurrants, you must follow the rules and storage periods:
- place frozen food on the top shelf or in the greens compartment;
- stick a label with the packaging date on each package or container;
- It is better to store currants in portioned bags, since the thawed product cannot be re-frozen;
- The shelf life is 3 years.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of frozen black currants are known to every gardener. Since the fortified berry is grown on a personal plot, in order to preserve its beneficial properties, it is frozen for the winter. The defrosted harvest can be used to prepare compotes, fruit drinks, jelly, and also as a filling for pies. Before consumption, you should consult with a specialist; black berries not only have beneficial properties, but can also cause irreparable harm to the body.
